Tigers reach a new low

By Jeff Stoffey

The 2009-10 season started about as well as it could for the Missouri women’s basketball team. The Tigers began the season 10-2 and their only two blemishes came on a last-second basket against Memphis and a close loss against No. 15 Florida State.

Oh how things have changed.

After dropping its final nonconference game against Xavier, Missouri has not been able to turn it around. The Tigers are now 11-11 on the season after a 65-39 loss to Iowa State Sunday afternoon at Mizzou Arena. In previous home games, the Tigers have been able to at least keep games close. That was not the case against the Cyclones. Here are a few thoughts on that game and the entire Tigers season:

• Starting 3-for-27 from the floor. Shooting this poorly is never acceptable. But to shoot that poorly in a home game is mind-boggling. To put things into perspective, the Tigers scored just four points over 11 minutes into the game. Four. That is not a typo.
• Getting beat up and down the floor. The Cyclones had more energy and continuously beat the Tigers down the floor for easy layups. After the game, Missouri coach Cindy Stein called it “inexcusable” and hinted that if things don’t change, lineup changes could be in store.
• Where’s the rebounding? The Tigers were out-rebounded 47-23 Sunday. This number is deceiving, though. Since the Tigers missed so many shots, 41 of 54 shots, the Cyclones had more opportunities for defensive rebounds
• Historic low? Not quite. But the 39 points is the lowest since the Tigers scored 37 in a loss to Texas in 2008.
• Jessra Johnson sticking to her strengths. Johnson has struggled all season from 3-point range, shooting just 18 percent on the season. For some reason, Stein continues to give Johnson the green light. Johnson went 0-for-2 on Sunday.
• Tigers need production from Christine Flores. The sophomore was arguably the Tigers most dominant player at the end of nonconference play. While there is plenty of blame to go around, Flores has struggled in Big 12 play. The Tigers desperately need her to step up.
• Will the Tigers win another game? Looking at their schedule, it appears it’s possible they may not. In the Big 12, there are no easy games. However, home games against Colorado and Texas Tech still remain. Those two games are probably the Tigers best shot to notch another victory.
• The future of the program. Cindy Stein is in the final season of her current contract. It will be interesting to see what happens after the season.

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